James Heyward Blackwell
(ca. February 1864–October 14, 1931)RichmondEducator and Community Advocate
James Heyward Blackwell advanced the cause of African American public education in Richmond for more than forty years.

William Darnell “Bill” Euille
(b. 1950–)AlexandriaMayor
A leader in the political, cultural, and civic life of Alexandria, William Darnell “Bill” Euille became the first African American elected mayor of the city.

Mary Alice Franklin Hatwood Futrell
(b. 1940–)LynchburgEducator and Organization Leader
Educator and organization leader Mary Alice Franklin Hatwood Futrell is an advocate for teachers and students in the United States and around the world.

Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly
(February 1818–May 26, 1907)Dinwiddie CountySeamstress and Author
Seamstress and confidante of Mary Todd Lincoln, former slave Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly wrote a book detailing her life and experiences in the White House.

Olivia Ferguson McQueen
(b. 1942–)CharlottesvilleCivil Rights Pioneer
Civil rights pioneer Olivia Ferguson McQueen successfully challenged school segregation in 1959, but did not receive her diploma for another fifty-four years.

John Mitchell Jr.
(July 11, 1863–December 3, 1929)RichmondNewspaper Editor
As editor of the Richmond Planet, John Mitchell, Jr., fought against racism and for African American advancement in politics, business, and education.

James Randolph Spencer
(b. 1949–)RichmondFederal Judge
James Randolph Spencer is the first African American federal judge appointed from Virginia.

Marcellus Spencer “Boo” Williams Jr.
(b. 1958–)HamptonYouth Sports Mentor
Marcellus Spencer “Boo” Williams, Jr., created a nationally known summer youth basketball program and led the way in developing a state-of-the-art community sports facility in Hampton.

Strong Men & Women in Virginia History is a joint project of the Library of Virginia and Dominion